HONOLULU, HI - Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie today released the following statement about the state’s response to the Honolulu Harbor molasses spill:

“The emergency response programs of the Department of Health, the aquatic resources division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Department of Transportation Harbors staff are working as a team to respond to this spill, reduce its impact and protect the health of our people. The affected area is limited to a portion of the Honolulu Harbor channel and Keehi Lagoon.

“Matson accepts responsibility for the spill and is working directly with the state and federal agencies to respond to this unprecedented event.

“My administration will do everything needed to restore harbor channel waters to the highest quality and take all appropriate action to ensure that such a spill will not reoccur.”